Part of a package of three bills in relation to the Seacare scheme, the bill amends the:

Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992

to: introduce a new test to clarify coverage of the Seacare scheme; and implement amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention relating to insurance obligations of employers of seafarers;

Seafarers, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

and

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

to: align workers’ compensation arrangements for the Seacare and Comcare schemes with minimum benchmarks to be set by the proposed National Injury Insurance Scheme; and ensure that persons in receipt of incapacity payments can continue to receive those payments until they reach pension age;

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

to clarify the application of the Act; and

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006

,

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

,

Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992

and

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

to make consequential amendments. Also repeals the Financial Management and Accountability (Establishment of Special Account) Determination 2002/06,

Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993

,

Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992

and

Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992

; and integrates the functions currently performed by the Seacare Authority into Comcare, abolishes the Seacare Authority and splits the functions between Comcare and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC), and enables an advisory group to be appointed to support the SRCC and Comcare.

The bill: establishes Renew Australia as a statutory authority to oversee the transition of Australia’s electricity system to one based on renewable energy and provides for its functions and powers; establishes the Board of Renew Australia and provides for its functions, members and meetings; provides for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and staff, consultants and committees; provides for financial arrangements; and sets out a timetable for the phased closure of coal-fired power stations.

Amends: 15 Acts to remove current provisions providing for regulatory regimes and to apply the standard provisions of the

Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014

; and the

Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014

in relation to: the ability to secure evidence of a contravention when exercising monitoring powers; the age of photographs for identity cards; the time period for the making of a civil penalty order; and the cap on the amount to be stated in an infringement notice.

The bill: establishes the Regional Investment Corporation to administer farm business loans and financial assistance granted to states and territories in relation to water infrastructure projects, and any future programs prescribed by rules; provides for the corporation’s functions, operating mandate, ministerial directions, board membership and appointment of a chief executive officer and staff; and provides for miscellaneous matters, including the recovery of costs, delegations, power to make rules, and an independent review of the operation of the Act before 1 July 2024.